Va. Gov.’s Son Found Guilty of Public Intoxication

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s son Sean was found guilty on Monday of public intoxication and fined $25 plus court costs, Charlottesville General District Court records show.

Police arrested the 21-year-old University of Virginia student in early July near “The Corner,” a strip of restaurants and bars across the street from the university.

Charlottesville Police Lt. Ronnie Roberts said at the time that an officer patrolling the area noticed Sean McDonnell appeared drunk and took him into custody without incident.

Sean McDonnell was transported to the Charlottesville/Albemarle Regional Jail for booking after his arrest and released on his own recognizance.

The incident added to the woes of the McDonnell family.

A former Virginia Executive Mansion chef charged with four felony counts of embezzlement has accused the family of misappropriating mansion resources.

State and federal investigators also are looking at loans and gifts Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams Sr. gave to the McDonnell family.

The governor recently repaid nearly $125,000 in loans from Williams and has said he will repay other undisclosed gifts from Williams, including a $6,500 Rolex watch. McDonnell’s daughters have repaid wedding gifts the businessman gave them totaling $25,000, the governor said.

Investigators are looking into whether Williams or his company received anything in return for the gifts and loans. The governor has said they received no special treatment. He says he didn’t initially report the gifts or loans because it wasn’t required under Virginia’s financial disclosure laws.